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Lakes beck death woman named as 49-year-old Ailsa Gordon from Clitheroe

A WOMAN who died after being found unconscious in a Lake District stream has been named as Ailsa Gordon, of Clitheroe, Lancs.

The 49-year-old mum was discovered with hypothermia in Glencoyne Beck, near Seldom Seen, Glenridding.

Around 50 people from Patterdale Mountain Rescue Team, North West Ambulance Service, Cumbria Fire and Rescue and the Royal Navy were involved in a rescue which lasted for more than two hours.

Mrs Gordon, who was a member of St James’s Church, Clitheroe, was taken to Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester. It is understood she was taken to Manchester because of its specialist hypothermic treatment equipment and due to low staffing levels at other hospitals.

It is believed she was staying with her husband, David, in a nearby holiday cottage. Mrs Gordon, who was found on Tuesday, April 1, died in the early hours of the following day.

Colin Dickenson, coroner’s officer for Kendal and South Lakes, said a post-mortem examination was expected to be carried out today or tomorrow in Lancaster.

Mike Blakey, Patterdale Mountain Rescue team leader, said: “At the time of the call-out some team members were meeting at the rescue base and were able to respond and be on scene in less than ten minutes.

“Further team members, many of who were en route to weekly training joined those on scene.

“The woman was treated initially by first responders and then a paramedic, two doctors and team members before she was evacuated by stretcher to a Royal Navy Sea King helicopter which had flown from Prestwick, Scotland. The helicopter then quickly transferred the woman and a mountain rescue team doctor to a specialist medical unit at Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester.”

A Cumbria Police spokeswoman said: “Police can confirm that the woman who died in hospital on April 2 was Ailsa Gordon, 49, from Clitheroe. Mrs Gordon was found in a stream at Glenridding on April 1.

"She was transported to Wythenshawe Hospital in Manchester and despite the best efforts by medical staff, she sadly died.

“The were no suspicious circumstances and the details have been passed to the coroner.”